The Helen Bianchin Collection

by Helen Bianchin

  There was no lull, little time to think, just the need for smooth efficiency.

  Ana checked in around midday, and Rebekah was delighted to hear the happiness emanate from her voice.

  There was the opportunity to mention Suzie’s suitability to assist part-time, and Ana’s ‘hire her’ clinched the decision.

  ‘Mornings and all day Fridays and Saturdays,’ Rebekah offered, named the rate of pay, and gave a relieved sigh at Suzie’s enthusiastic acceptance.

  There was a sense of satisfaction and achievement in that Ana was fine with her life back on track; Blooms and Bouquets would continue to operate efficiently.

  Two down and two to go, Rebekah rationalised, hoping, praying that her ex-husband’s nuisance calls would cease and he’d fade back into the woodwork.

  That left Jace Dimitriades, and she had no idea how she was going to deal with Jace. If she had any sense and an iota of self-preservation she’d refuse to see him and put him out of her mind.

  Fat chance. He was already there, firmly embedded in the recesses of her brain. He made her want something she couldn’t have. His image teased her with endless possibilities of what it would be like to be with him.

  Take that step, and she’d be irretrievably lost. Caught up in a sensual madness that could very well lead to her destruction.

  But what a way to go.

  ‘See you Monday.’

  Rebekah glanced up from the computer and smiled as Suzie caught up her bag. ‘Goodnight. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.’

  ‘Shall do. You, too.’

  The glass door swung shut, and Rebekah returned her attention to the computer. She’d save the data onto disk and take it home, where she’d load it into the laptop tomorrow and key in the appropriate accounting entries.

  Three customers entered the shop to secure last-minute purchases, and she tended to the last one, then just as she was about to secure the lock Jace appeared at the door.

  Just the sight of him sent her pulse racing, and set the butterflies fluttering madly in her stomach. Heat suffused her body, and she deliberately regulated her breathing in a bid to control her wayward emotions. ‘I’m just about to close,’ she managed evenly. ‘Is there something you want?’

  His answering smile did strange things to her equilibrium. ‘You, to join me for dinner tonight.’

  Forget control. His you sent her imagination into a tailspin, and she banked down riotous images of tangled sheets, naked bodies…his, hers, coupled together in the throes of passion.

  What was wrong with her? The silent castigation was heartfelt. Had she been locked too long in denial? Was that it? And if so, why this man?

  Don’t answer that.

  Her only weapon was humour. She lifted a hand to her chin and tilted her head.

  ‘Ah, you’re all alone in the city with no one to call, and I’ll do?’ What was she doing, for heaven’s sake? One didn’t tease men of Jace Dimitriades’ calibre. ‘What if I’ve made other plans?’

  ‘Have you?’

  Honesty came to the fore. ‘No.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘Don’t count your chickens too soon,’ she warned. ‘I haven’t said yes.’

  He lifted a hand and pushed a stray tendril of hair back behind her ear. ‘But you will.’

  What did she have to lose? Stupid question. Maybe Ana was right, and it was time to loosen a few strings.

  ‘Can we negotiate on a movie?’

  ‘Done.’

  ‘OK.’

  Jace gave a deep, husky chuckle. ‘You want to be chauffeur, or shall I?’

  She pretended to consider both options. ‘Oh, let’s go for role reversal. Besides, I have a better knowledge of the city than you do.’ She checked her watch. ‘Pick you up at seven?’

  ‘I’ll be waiting.’ He glanced around the shop’s interior. ‘Now, let’s get you out of here.’

  ‘I’ve done it a thousand times on my own.’ More, if anyone was counting.

  ‘Then indulge me and let’s do it together.’

  Five minutes later Rebekah walked to her van as Jace slid behind the wheel of his car.

  Neither of them noticed the man seated in a vehicle thirty metres distant. If they had, it would have taken more than a casual glance to determine his identity. A cap worn backwards and wrap-around sunglasses provided a very good disguise.

  There were no messages recorded on the answering machine, and Rebekah hit the shower, stepped into clean underwear, tended to her make-up, swept her hair into a smooth knot, then dressed in black evening trousers, a red camisole and matching evening jacket. She added stiletto heels, caught up an evening purse and her keys, then she took the lift down to the underground car park.

  The MG was parked in its customary space, and she fired the engine and sent the sleek little sports car onto street level, then drove the few blocks to Jace’s hotel.

  He emerged from the lobby as soon as she drew into the entrance bay, and within minutes she rejoined the traffic.

  ‘Where to?’

  ‘Darling Harbour.’

  ‘Yessir.’

  Jace wondered if she had any idea how her features lightened? Or how the darkness that was a lurking constant in her eyes disappeared when she smiled?

  ‘Don’t be sassy.’

  She shot him a grin. ‘Just acting out the chauffeur part.’

  It was a beautiful evening, cool, but not uncomfortably so, and they ate seafood at an elegant restaurant overlooking the inner harbour, drank a little chilled white wine, then took in a top-rated movie guaranteed to earn the lead actors, the producer and director major award honours.

  ‘That was great,’ Rebekah accorded as they emerged from the cinema complex and began walking to where she’d parked the MG.

  Fine food, beautiful ambience, fantastic movie…great date, great man, she reflected, aware this was her first date in a long while. Too long.

  She’d played her private life so carefully since her divorce. Brad’s erratic behaviour had diminished her self-image, damaged her trust in men, and left her with a heightened sense of the need for self-preservation.

  Rebekah reached the MG, unlocked both doors, and slid in behind the wheel as Jace folded his lengthy frame into the passenger seat.

  It wasn’t a car for a tall, well-built male frame, and it brought him far too close for comfort. She was supremely conscious of his thigh close to the gear-shift, making it difficult for the edges of her fingers not to brush against him each time she changed gears.

  There was an acute awareness of his clean male scent combined with the hint of his exclusive brand of cologne. Above all was the intense sensual chemistry apparent…a latent entity that threatened her libido, not to mention her peace of mind.

  ‘Shall we stop off somewhere for coffee?’

  Rebekah brought her jangling thoughts together and focused on his words, faltered for a few telling seconds, and offered hesitantly, ‘It’s late. I—’

  ‘Just…coffee,’ Jace reiterated quietly, aware of her escalating nervous tension. ‘There are a number of cafés close to the Ritz-Carlton. We’ll choose one, and when we’re done I’ll walk back to the hotel.’

  It sounded reasonable, no strings, just the sharing of coffee as a pleasant conclusion to a very enjoyable evening.

  Double Bay was known for its trendy cafés, where the day-time clientele lunched and the social élite met and lingered over coffee during the evening. Whatever the time, it was an opportunity to be seen.

  Finding a parking space took a while, and they strolled along the street-front, chose a café and selected a table.

  Coffee at its finest, Rebekah acknowledged silently as she savoured the sweet, aromatic brew. Discussing the merits of the film they’d just seen seemed a safe topic of conversation, and they engaged in an interesting exchange of views.

  ‘You have tomorrow off?’

  She stilled, and for a second her eyes assumed a wary expression. ‘Yes.’

  ‘I’ve booked a harb
our cruise. It takes approximately six hours and leaves at ten.’

  Such cruises were very popular among the tourists, and crew served lunch on board as well as morning and afternoon tea. ‘You’ll enjoy it.’ It was a great way to see the many coves and bays around the inner harbour, view prime real estate, and relax in pleasant surroundings.

  Jace held her gaze. ‘Join me.’

  She was willing to swear her heart stopped for a few seconds before racing into a thudding beat. ‘There’ll be a running commentary informing passengers of various vantage points throughout the day. You won’t need me along.’

  His smile held warmth and something she was reluctant to define. ‘I want you along.’

  ‘Jace…’ She paused, then stumbled over the words, ‘I can’t keep seeing you.’

  ‘Can’t, or won’t?’

  Oh, lord, this was getting out of hand. ‘Why?’

  There was despair in the query, and it angered him to think her ex-husband had done such a number on her.

  ‘The truth?’ His gaze speared hers. ‘I want to spend time with you.’

  To what end? The obvious one wasn’t an option. ‘I won’t have sex with you.’ Stark words that matched his in honesty.

  ‘If I just wanted sex, there are several numbers I could call.’

  So he could. Numbers listed in the trade papers, the telephone yellow pages…and failing that, all he had to do was ask a discreet question of the hotel staff to have the relevant information supplied.

  ‘So,’ he drawled silkily. ‘Shall we start over?’

  She took a deep breath and slowly released it. ‘I usually do domestic chores on a Sunday.’ Go to the gym, meet a friend for coffee, take in a foreign film, read, relax. It was a token excuse, and they both knew it.

  Oh, dammit. She spread her hands in a gesture of surrender. ‘All right, OK.’ She was angry, with herself, him, for being manoeuvred into a position where it would seem churlish to refuse. ‘I’ll go.’

  Rebekah glimpsed the gleam of humour in that dark gaze, and she could have sworn the edge of his mouth twitched. ‘Such a gracious acceptance.’

  She drained the last of her coffee. ‘I think it’s time I went home.’ She stood to her feet. ‘Thanks for an enjoyable evening.’

  He duplicated her movements, extracted a note and anchored it on the table. ‘I’ll walk you to your car.’

  ‘I’ll be fine,’ she stated firmly. ‘Goodnight.’ She turned away from him and quickened her steps, aware that he fell in beside her.

  ‘Has anyone told you you’re impossible?’ she flung tersely, and missed the fleeting amusement apparent.

  ‘Rarely to my face.’

  ‘Obviously it’s high time someone did.’

  There were people seated outdoors beneath large shaded umbrellas, and she was conscious of background chatter, music emitting from speakers, and cars cruising the street searching for a parking space.

  Within minutes they reached the MG, and she unlocked the door, then slid in behind the wheel, slipping the key into the ignition without pause.

  Jace leaned down towards her. ‘Join me for breakfast at the hotel. Eight. Then we’ll head for the pier.’

  Rebekah looked at him steadily. ‘I’ll eat at home, and meet you in the hotel lobby after nine.’

  She fired the engine as he stood upright and closed the door. With consummate skill she eased the car out from its parking space and resisted the temptation to check the rear-vision mirror as she entered the flow of traffic.

  Rebekah slept well and woke feeling refreshed and ready to meet the day. Choosing to wear dress-jeans and a T-shirt, she tied a sweater over her shoulders, applied sun-screen beneath her minimum make-up, and swept her hair into a careless knot atop her head.

  Shortly after nine she slid her feet into joggers, caught up her shoulder bag, her keys, then took the lift down to the underground car park.

  Jace had also chosen casual attire, and her heart jolted at the sight of him in jeans and a polo shirt. He held a jacket hooked over one shoulder, and he was something else.

  He walked towards her, and she admired the way the jeans moulded his thighs, hugged his hips, while the polo shirt clung to his hard-muscled torso, emphasising an enviable breadth of shoulder.

  ‘Hi.’ As a greeting, it fell short by a mile, but it was the best she could do with her breath caught in her throat as he slid into the passenger seat.

  ‘Morning.’ His appraisal was swift, encompassing. ‘You slept well?’

  Oh, my, how did she answer that? Admit his image had filled her imagination and her last waking thought had been of him?

  ‘Yes, thank you.’ Why was she sounding so excruciatingly polite? ‘And you?’

  ‘Fine.’

  His smile broadened, and her stomach curled as the grooves slashing each cheek became more defined, and tiny lines fanned out from the corners of his eyes.

  Rebekah moved the gear-shift and sent the MG out onto the street, driving with practised ease as she headed towards the city pier.

  He exuded latent strength…not only of the body, but of the mind. A man who went after what he wanted with steel-willed resolve, she perceived, and wondered at his strategy with regard to her.

  A convenient but brief affair while he tended to business? Why go for emotional entanglement when he could pay for sex, then walk away?

  It didn’t make sense. None of his actions made sense.

  Unless… No, she dismissed instantly. He wasn’t attracted to her. Intrigued, possibly. Was he aware of the sexual chemistry that shimmered between them? Or was it one-sided and all hers?

  Oh, for heaven’s sake, get a grip, she mentally chastised. He’s Luc’s cousin, he’s in Sydney on business, you’re the sister of his cousin’s wife. He’s simply being kind.

  So why didn’t it feel like kind when he touched her? Kissed her?

  So how did it feel? a tiny imp taunted.

  Like she’d caught a glimpse of heaven on earth. Something she dared not hope for, in a place she was afraid to occupy.

  Fear of rejection? Afraid it wouldn’t, couldn’t last?

  She’d experienced one particular taste of hell. She wasn’t keen to sample another.

  But what if you’re wrong? What if you’re choosing to deny something incredibly wonderful simply because one man fooled you with a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality?

  Just enjoy the day, why don’t you? she admonished silently as they walked out onto the pier and boarded the large cruise boat equipped to carry up to fifty passengers and crew.

  The sun shone brightly with the warmth of an early summer, and the sky was a clear azure. A breeze became evident as the boat moved out into the harbour, and Rebekah pointed out prime real estate built on the rocky cliff-face that bordered the many coves and inlets.

  There were numerous craft moored, some small, others large and luxurious, and she indicated various landmarks, homes of the rich and famous as the boat cruised the inner harbour.

  For a while they moved out on deck, and she was conscious of Jace’s presence, the light touch of his hand on her arm, the way her body reacted to his as he leaned in close to follow her line of vision as she indicated certain focal points of interest.

  Way out in the distance a huge tanker was slowly making its way in, and as they returned city-side there were two tugboats steaming out to meet a luxury liner, a solid, oft-used ferry boat chugging towards the North Shore, and a sleek hydrofoil bringing passengers in from Manly.

  Where better to view the wide, distinctive arch of the Harbour Bridge, the graceful architectural curves of the Opera House?

  Sydney was a beautiful city with one of the finest harbours in the world. Today, looking at it from a visitor’s viewpoint, there was a sense of pride in the familiar, an innate feeling of patriotism.

  The sun had moved overhead and was now shifting towards the west, washing the buildings, some old, some new in towers of concrete, steel and glass.

  Glorious by day, stunning at
night when electric light shaped the many buildings against an indigo sky, and multicoloured flashing neon added colour and interest to an intriguing night-scape.

  ‘Beautiful.’ Jace’s voice was quiet, almost husky, and Rebekah turned towards him, words of agreement escaping her lips.

  Except he wasn’t admiring the view, he was looking at her.

  For one brief minute it seemed as if the world shifted slightly, and she barely refrained from reaching out a hand to steady herself.

  Crazy. Perhaps she imagined it, and it was the boat?

  But no, it was moving steadily, there was no back-wash, and the harbour waters were as smooth as glass.

  This was bad. Really bad.

  She leaned forward against the railing and concentrated on a small liner as it lay moored, then she shifted her attention to the row of city buildings.

  Most all of the passengers had emerged onto the deck, and she gave a surprised start as Jace moved to position himself behind her.

  It was, she realised, a polite gesture to allow others room to share the view, and his arms caged her body as he fastened his hands on the railing.

  His body wasn’t touching hers, but she was supremely aware just how easy it would be to lean back against him. Have him link his arms at her waist, and rest his chin against her head.

  For a moment she felt as if she couldn’t breathe, and panic that he might sense her discomfort forced her to regulate every breath in an effort to slow her rapidly beating pulse.

  The cruise boat docked at four, and the passengers lined up ready to disembark. Jace stood behind her, and he put a hand to her waist to steady her as they stepped down the gangplank.

  She felt the heat of his touch, and her stomach executed a backward flip.

  Nerves, she decided, were hell and damnation. Her body seemed to be in a permanent state of flux whenever Jace Dimitriades was within touching distance.

  ‘We’re not far from the aquarium,’ Jace declared. ‘I checked out its location this morning. We’ve time for a quick tour before it closes.’

  ‘We?’ She shot him a startled glance. ‘I don’t think—’